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Old 21st Jan 2015, 8:56 pm   #85
G6Tanuki
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
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Default Re: Technology related anachronisms on TV and in films etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herald1360 View Post
Errr, don't stopcocks and old style taps normally turn off clockwise as you screw the washer down onto the seat?
It depends: the traditional "plug cock" used for low pressure water service and gas-lighting had no directionality: if it was 'on' you could turn it either way through 90 degrees to get an 'off' condition. And a 90-degree turn either way would then turn it on.

The lever/handle at 90-degrees to the pipe [achieved by turning either way] was the traditional sign-of-offness.

Hard detents on such valves are a rather recent idea!
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